Plane crash takes two industry veterans

Patsy Crisafi, co-founder, principal and executive vice-president of Roadway Worker Training, Inc., and Vinnie Vaccarello, president and co-owner of All Railroad Services Corporation, both of St. Augustine, Fla., were killed in a small plane crash on Oct. 3 in Gary, Ind.

FTA independent review verifies rail financial plan

An independent financial review of the rail Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation project in Honolulu, Hawaii, confirms the financial capacity to construct and operate the rail system and that the project’s financial plan is reasonable and able to withstand and successfully address risks.

CTA unveils Wilson Station plan

The Chicago Transportation Authority (CTA) unveiled the design renderings for the planned reconstruction of the Wilson Red Line station, one of the largest CTA ‘L’ station projects in the agency’s history.

The $203-million reconstruction project, slated to begin in 2013, will create a brand-new, reconfigured station to serve the CTA’s busiest rail line and facility that will serve as an anchor for economic development in the Uptown neighborhood.

“This is a great starting point for the future design of an important station that helps thousands of Chicagoans get to work and school each day,” said Chicago Mayor Emanuel. “The Red Line is the backbone of our transportation network and this new station will drive economic activity throughout the city for years to come.”

The new station design features contemporary architecture including glass and steel canopies and a glass-enclosed entrance along Wilson, one of two Wilson entrances. An auxiliary entrance is planned for Sunnyside Avenue, serving a newer commercial development housing Target and Aldi stores.

Connecticut receives $120 million for high-speed rail

Connecticut will receive $120 million in high-speed intercity passenger rail program funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation to complete construction on the Hartford segment of the New Haven to Springfield, Mass., passenger rail corridor.

CP EVP/COO resigns

Mike Franczak, executive vice president and chief operations officer for Canadian Pacific, has resigned.

KCS appoints vice president sales and marketing

Kansas City Southern has appointed Stephen Schollaert as vice president sales and marketing. In this position, he leads the carload business unit for The Kansas City Southern Railway Company (KCSR) and reports to KCS executive vice president sales and marketing Patrick Ottensmeyer.